Cincinnati Reds: Eugenio Suárez takes power surge to Oakland

Previewing the pitching matchups

Tyler Mahle (0-4 4.09 ERA) will be opposed by the A’s Mike Fiers (2-3 6.81 ERA) in the series opener at the Oakland Coliseum. Mahle bounced back nicely in his last start against the New York Mets following a couple of rough outings.

The 24-year-old right-handed struck out 7 without allowing a free pass in 5 innings of work. His 33 strikeouts and 7 walks have produced a 4.71 K/BB rate which is the best among Cincinnati starters.

Oakland’s Mike Fiers has been getting hit hard to begin the 2019 campaign. The 9-year veteran has allowed 8 home runs in only 37 innings. The second time through the batting order has been particularly troublesome for the right-hander. Allowing a slash line of .333/.412/.650 and a whopping 1.062 OPS look for the middle three frames to be to the Reds’ hitters liking.

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Wednesday night will have Sonny Gray (0-4 3.89 ERA) facing his former team and southpaw Brett Anderson (4-2 3.89 ERA). Gray is still looking for his first victory in a Reds uniform. The 29-year-old right-hander has pitched much better than his record indicates. In 34.2 innings, Gray has only surrendered one home run. Combine that with a 55.1% ground ball rate and you have a recipe for success.

While Gray is winless, left-hander Brett Anderson is looking for his fifth victory in his second tour of duty in Oakland. However, don’t let the numbers fool you, Brett Anderson is very hittable. In 37 innings of work, the 31-year-old southpaw has allowed 38 hits and 14 base on balls.

Anderson also struggles to put away hitters. Collecting only 21 strikeouts, batters have put plenty of balls in play.  Opposing hitters have also compiled an impressive .333 OBP when facing Anderson.

Thursday afternoon’s finale has Tanner Roark (2-1 3.82 ERA) taking the mound against A’s right-hander Chris Bassitt (1-0 2.12 ERA). Roark is coming off an excellent start in his last outing against San Francisco.

Tossing 6.2 innings of 2 run ball the 32-year-old right-hander also fanned a season high 7 Giants. He’s been his best in high leverage situation. In 24 such at-bats, he’s induced a .125/.250/.125 slash line without allowing an extra base hit.

Chris Bassitt has been outstanding in this 3 starts this seasons. In 17 inning of work, he has whiffed 21 hitters while only allowing 6 base on balls.  He’s limited the opposition to a paltry .161/.246/.323 slash line along with a 0.941 WHIP.

Bassitt’s go to pitch is a sinker, which according to Fangraphs, he throws nearly 36% of the time.  His repertoire also includes a four seam fastball, slider, and a curve.